Nightshift

by

Commodores

Album: Nightshift

Released: 1985

Charted:

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This is a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Gaye was a Motown star known for love songs like "Let's Get It On" and "Sexual Healing." Wilson was an R&B singer known for his stirring performances and hits like "Lonely Teardrops." Wilson was 49 when he died, Gaye was 44. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

When this song was performed on Motown Returns to the Apollo in the early '80s, more verses were added to honor other Motown legends who had passed on. (thanks, Jenny - Sussex, NJ, for above 2)

The line "your love it lifted us higher and higher" is a reference to Wilson's 1967 hit, "Higher And Higher."

This is the Commodores' only hit since Lionel Richie left the band in 1982. The vocals were shared by Clyde Orange (an original member who also wrote the song) and J.D. Nicholas, a former backup singer for Diana Ross who was brought in to replace Richie.

Won the 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

The band got a new recording contract as a result of this song, but they were never able to follow it up with another hit.

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Comments (6):

Met a woman this evening while a group of friends were out enjoying our favorite lounge musician. During his break, this woman began to talk about her 20-year old son who had passed a year ago. She said she woke up every night at 3:45 a.m. and she's convinced that is when he passed. She heard his voice telling her, "Mom, it's time for me to go." We had a long conversation about loved ones being able to communicate with us from the other side. She talked about meeting with a medium who told her many things that only her son would know about. That medium is flying in to visit her again tomorrow. She was in tears by the time the musician we were there to listen to began to play and sing again. And the first song he sang was "Nightshift." I told my new friend that there are no accidents and that the lyrics of "Nightshift" were a message for her. "It's gonna be all right/On the nightshift/Oh you found another home/I know you're not alone/On the nightshift."

- Lu, Naples, FL

This song paints an image in my head of 5 coloured men who work a hard job together... They sing this song every night in work

- CharlesVII, London, England

I really love this song.Great tribute and very mellow and soulful.Don't get to hear it much,though!

- Chris, Chicago, IL

The line "When we were working out" refers to Jackie Wilson's song "Baby Workout." The "Nightshift" refers to heaven with life on Earth being the day shift. "You found another home" on the Nightshift.

- George, Somewhere, GA

The line "Aw talk to me so you can see what's going on" is a reference to Gaye's 1971 hit, "What's Going On."

- Guy, Woodinville, WA

This is just a great song to listen to at night, especially if you are working a nightshift.

- Sam, Bright, IN

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